"David Raya Should Be Banned From Straight Passes" – Jamie Carragher After Arsenal's 5-1 Victory Over Crystal Palace
Jamie Carragher criticizes risky passing from goalkeepers after David Raya's close call in Arsenal's dominant win over Crystal Palace.
Former Liverpool defender and football pundit Jamie Carragher has called for a major change in how goalkeepers play the ball out from the back. After Arsenal’s dominant 5-1 victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League, Carragher remarked that goalkeepers should avoid making straight passes, labeling them as dangerous and a frequent cause of mistakes.
Carragher’s comments were sparked by a nervy moment early in the game. Arsenal’s goalkeeper David Raya attempted a straight pass to Thomas Partey in midfield. However, the ball was intercepted by Palace’s Ismaila Sarr, who quickly set up Jean-Philippe Mateta for a potential equalizer. Thankfully for Arsenal, Raya made a brilliant save to prevent the mistake from turning into a goal.
Commenting during Sky Sports’ coverage of the match, Carragher didn’t hold back:
“Goalkeepers should be banned from playing straight balls. They should always pass wide or at an angle. This kind of straight pass is the riskiest in football, and it often leads to goals for the opposition. It needs to stop.”
With modern football emphasizing playing out from the back, goalkeepers are now expected to be as good with their feet as they are with their hands. Players like Manchester City’s Ederson, Liverpool’s Alisson, and Arsenal’s Raya have set a new standard for goalkeeping. However, Carragher warned that not every team has the right players to adopt this style safely.
Despite the early scare, Arsenal quickly regained their composure and outclassed their London rivals. Gabriel Jesus continued his fine form with two goals, while Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, and Declan Rice also found the back of the net. The Gunners’ attacking display ensured their second convincing win over Crystal Palace in a single week.
This victory keeps Arsenal in third place, trailing Liverpool by three points, though the Gunners have played two more matches than the league leaders.
Carragher’s critique has reignited the debate about risk-taking in modern football. While goalkeepers with strong passing skills add a new dimension to their teams, incidents like Raya’s misplaced pass show how this approach can backfire.
